{"id":155,"date":"2022-10-25T14:53:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T14:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/victoryrejuvenationcenter.com\/?p=155"},"modified":"2023-11-24T12:00:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T12:00:26","slug":"what-to-know-about-insulin-resistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/victoryrejuvenationcenter.com\/2022\/10\/25\/what-to-know-about-insulin-resistance\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know About Insulin Resistance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Insulin resistance may not be a term with which you are familiar, but it is important to know what it is and how it may affect you. Insulin resistance (IR) precedes Type 2 diabetes. It is asymptomatic, meaning there may not be any signs that it is happening. It is mainly caused by obesity, especially by something called \u201cvisceral fat.\u201d Visceral fat surrounds the organs of the abdomen. It is the hardest fat to combat. Visceral fat causes a myriad of problems which will be discussed below.<\/p>\n

\"\" More than 84 million people in the US over the age of 18 have prediabetes. There are approximately 329.5 million people in the United States, so that statistic means approximately 1 in 3 people have prediabetes. [1] Prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are elevated, but not to the degree to be diagnosed as diabetic. <\/p>\n

The major contributing factor to the development of insulin resistance is poor lifestyle behavior, insufficient physical activity, and improper nutrition leading to being overweight or obese. Some people are genetically predisposed to have an increased risk for insulin resistance. For example, having a first-degree relative (parents and siblings) with diabetes or women with polycystic ovary disease. [1, 2] <\/p>\n

RISK FACTORS INCLUDE<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Being overweight or obese<\/li>\n
  2. Sedentary lifestyle<\/li>\n
  3. Members of the BIPOC community (African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, Native Alaskan)<\/li>\n
  4. A history of diabetes during pregnancy<\/li>\n
  5. A history of cardiovascular disease (including heart attack or stroke), high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol. [3, 4]<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    WHAT IS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (THE PHYSIOLOGIC PROCESS THAT LEADS TO THE DISEASE)?<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Insulin is the most well-known hormone in the body. <\/li>\n
    2. It is made and secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia = high blood sugar levels).<\/li>\n
    3. Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells (liver, fat, and muscle) for storage.<\/li>\n
    4. Cells can become insulin resistant if there is chronic stimulation of the pancreas, which causes an excessive release of insulin. Cells can gradually become less sensitive to insulin over time. This means the insulin becomes less effective at doing its job.<\/li>\n
    5. Insulin resistance leads to more frequent elevations of blood sugar levels, followed by prediabetes and finally overt diabetes. This happens due to constant pressure on the pancreas and the eventual depletion of the insulin-producing cells within it. [5]<\/li>\n
    6. Chronically elevated blood sugar can damage nerves and organs and lead to cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, kidney disease, eye disease (retinopathy and blindness), neuropathy, skin changes, high blood pressure, elevated lipids, and fatty liver disease. [6]<\/li>\n
    7. Insulin resistance can also be found in the brain, which is called Insulin Resistance in the Brain. It can appear in the brain and not the rest of the body. In fact, this is an early sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s is often referred to as \u201cType 3 diabetes of the brain\u201d. [7]<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      HERE ARE SOME DIABETES AND PREDIABETES STATISTICS ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL:<\/h3>\n

      Diabetes<\/strong><\/p>\n